Just in case you’re in a cave somewhere, Bob Rennie announced at a news conference this morning that 128 of the 230 condos offered for sale in this round at the Olympic village have offers on them. Details here.
In offbeat Olympic-village news, the NY Times had the strangest travel piece ever, suggesting that people come here to look at the village (okay, that part is reasonable), stay at the Fairmont Waterfront, and then … partake of the village’s nearby delights by going to a vegan/raw food restaurant on Second and some alternative club on Main Street usually frequented by 20-something hipsters. Hmm, which one of these doesn’t fit? A real Mensa test.
A quote: “Recession-slowed sales have left some blocks of Olympic Village still partly deserted, so the cultural and culinary pulse of the new neighborhood is best felt along its fringes. A gritty warren of dive bars and chop shops bumps up against experimental galleries and health-conscious dining spots.”
47 responses so far ↓
1 The Fourth Horseman // Feb 22, 2011 at 4:00 pm
“People get physically angry — hands flying, arms waving — when we don’t have these macaroons,” said the manager, Faye Caudwell, of the spot’s most popular dessert item.
Gee, raw foodies appear to be a rather violent bunch. Who knew?
And this gem…
Inside the snug, one-room space, the area’s creative class dines on a rigorously local menu of fresh fish, organic beef and produce cooked with an elegant, slow-food aesthetic. “It’s the mixture of people here that sets us apart from the rest of Vancouver,” said the owner, Mike Wiebe.
Ummm, if you have to tell someone you’re a hipster, you aren’t, are you?
Unless he’s talking about serving them up, al dente. With some fava beans and a good chianti.
Yum.
2 Morry // Feb 22, 2011 at 4:03 pm
Wow. found out about two new places in this city. going to try them out for a drink or lunch.
3 Gord Price // Feb 22, 2011 at 4:32 pm
If you don’t mind a plug …
The SFU City Program is offering a unique on-site opportunity to learn how the Village was conceived, designed and built, taught by the senior professionals directly involved. The course also looks beyond the Village itself, to explore lessons learned about project feasibility for green neighbourhoods elsewhere.
The two-and-a-half day course starts on March 31 to explore the sustainability aspects of the Village – on site and with the key professionals who did the work. (More here: http://www.sfu.ca/city/city237.htm ).
4 AnnetteF // Feb 22, 2011 at 8:24 pm
Does anyone know what the story is about Urban Fare and the OV?
Some of their signs around the village have been covered over and I keep reading about “negotiations underway with a grocery store chain”. I’m assuming that Urban Fare has bailed.
Shame- there is nowhere in this neighbourhood to buy decent yogurt.
5 Morry // Feb 22, 2011 at 8:49 pm
@ AnnetteF
“let them eat Cake”
6 The Fourth Horseman // Feb 22, 2011 at 9:10 pm
LOL!
7 Roger Kemble // Feb 23, 2011 at 6:07 am
It will always be OLYMPIC VILLAGE! And it is so beautiful yet . . .
Marketer Bob Rennie says, “30% discount and it’s going to be a very orderly sale.”
“I think it is a phenomenal result. I am very impressed. It is a remarkable statement about the real estate market and the desire of people to live in Vancouver,” said Scott Brown, the vice-president of residential marketing for Colliers International in Vancouver. “They have basically lifted the stigma on that place overnight. That’s amazing.””
Lifted the stigma? Ummmmm!
Tsur Somerville, a professor at UBC’s Sauder School of Business, was also surprised but worries whether Rennie’s company can sustain the pace of sales.
“This was a greater success than I think most people expected. You have to start with that,” he said. “But the challenge will be continuing sales momentum once it is no longer on the front pages and as other developments begin their presales in the area.”
Michael says OV will lose C$170M. Some success!
Is this the green shoots MSM has been writing about for the last two years?
“Everything will be alright” flashes Bob as we drive across the viaduct!
And East Van is crucified on Clark.
Is this a temporary boost in response to an imaginative sales strategy? Isn’t housing a part of the necessities of life quartet: air, water, food and shelter? Since when did necessities require a strategy?
And after all the experts have said their piece Cui bono? Who is buying? How many defaults will there be next year? Will this very limited euphoria just add to the inventory of empty places?
Is this yet another off shore hedge against a failing US$?
8 doug // Feb 23, 2011 at 6:42 am
One might almost mistake Vancouver for someplace hip in the NYT article.
Rather than a budding gated community (by real estate prices) for the old, rich, and heterosexual, whose idea of a good time is an expensive restaurant and a stroll on the Sea Wall.
9 rf // Feb 23, 2011 at 6:55 am
What I find utterly ridiculous is that anyone is lapping up what Rennie is putting in front of them!?
The guy is a promoter. The whole thing about trying to sell “60 condos in the first 60 days”? Does anyone honestly think this was a sincere statement.
He’s had months upon months to set up sales, knowing darn well what the likely prices were going to be. The thought that he didn’t have at least 100 sales ‘in the bin’ before this relaunch started is so unlikely…..perhaps this town is so utterly drunk on real estate that we will believe anything if it’s positive.
10 Tim B // Feb 23, 2011 at 8:45 am
Maybe things aren’t quite a dire as they have been made out to be. Put a realistic price ( still at a premium, I know ) on something and it will sell.
I happen to like the development, not everyone’s taste, for sure. No one is forcing you to live there or even set foot on the property.
11 Deacon Blue // Feb 23, 2011 at 9:36 am
Good on them from moving product. As location, location, location the OV can’t lose.
12 Max // Feb 23, 2011 at 10:02 am
I’ve been to the Narrow Lounge, wouldn’t consider it a dive bar, more a funky underground lounge.
The Wallflower (restuarant) in the 2400 block of Main is really great too. Good food, not over priced, neat artwork displayed month to month. Worth a visit.
13 Paul // Feb 23, 2011 at 10:04 am
Congrats to Bob Rennie for finally creating the hype that was needed to sell these units. Sure the city is going to take a loss, but that was a guarantee the second the village was made into a political football in the 2008 election.
I’d like to personally thank Gregor Robertson for finally being quiet on the village and letting Rennie do his job.
Perhaps this is a lesson to Vision Vancouver — Look at the good things that can happen when you don’t get involved.
14 Gerry McGuire // Feb 23, 2011 at 10:47 am
” Sure the city is going to take a loss, but that was a guarantee the second the village was made into a political football in the 2008 election.”
In other words one of the lie-detector dodging Vision Councillors owes the City $200+ million. Or more correctly they all do, as they all refused to clear their names by taking the test. So much for the war on criminal gangs…
15 Max // Feb 23, 2011 at 10:52 am
Hopefully once Rennie gets these units sold, he can turn his attention to the rentals and get them sold off as well.
16 Michelle // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:44 pm
If the Village apparently sells itself why do they need…Bob Rennie? Nice commission if you can get it, right? Even when you sell it at a loss, to the taxpayers, right?
People who bought in early… be prepared to be ridiculed. Can anyone tell me what are the main languages one should learn in order to get along with their next door neighbors? Me? I’m waiting for the more expensive ones to be put on the market. Then, I’ll check my mattress.
17 Michelle // Feb 23, 2011 at 12:58 pm
Oops, I just came across Paul’s comment # 13.
LMAO, really!
He says:
‘ Congrats to Bob Rennie for finally creating the hype that was needed to sell these units. Sure the city is going to take a loss, but that was a guarantee the second the village was made into a political football in the 2008 election.
I’d like to personally thank Gregor Robertson for finally being quiet on the village and letting Rennie do his job.’
Paul starts congratulating Bob, who sat on his butt waiting for the already interested interlopers to show up…then, he said it’s OK to get away with ripping off the taxpayers in favor of the unidentified faceless multimillionaires. No, Paul. The city should not have been SURE they’ll have to cover a loss. This is NOT how one manages a BUSINESS…then Paul, sucks up to Robertson and Vision. top it Paul, it’s too embarrassing. Awful, just awful!
18 Paul // Feb 23, 2011 at 2:34 pm
Michelle, I love how you feel so passionately about it. I’d ask you to note the extreme amount of sarcasm I used in my comment about Gregor and Vision Vancouver.
19 Max // Feb 23, 2011 at 2:48 pm
@ Michelle #17
You seem to forget that Rennie’s hands were tied once the city put the Oly Village into receivership, and that the City (as in Robertson and VV) held full control of what took place at the village prior to that.
He was brought on board after the fact to try and right the ship.
The City allowed the low income housing portion to sit empty up until December. That was additional rental revenue lost. I don’t even know at this point if the social housing portion has been filled or how many of the market rental units are actually rented to the 911 responders and teachers. (Another grand plan by Robertson and VV).
Now, we have the housing activists tenting outside of the sales room and by their own admission, trying to stop people from buying.
Great, just great.
20 Derek W // Feb 23, 2011 at 4:32 pm
If the Olly Village needs to be the lightning rod that gets some attention to this budding area of town, so be it. Just head South on Main a few more blocks and you’ll run into a string of fantastic casual eateries and lounges – The Whip, Wallflower, Cascade Room, Habit, and my latest favorite, Cafeteria. Blending with the arts scene a little farther North, and you’ve got a great little cultural centre.
Mt. Pleasant and the strip of Main near False Creek leading to it is just a really great neighbourhood. Visitors from New York – or anywhere – would do well to spend an evening there.
21 Max // Feb 23, 2011 at 4:53 pm
I received a mailer promoting the unit sales at the ‘Village on False Creek’.
Once it is filled and the retail moves in, it will be a great area to live.
Lots of great amenities – the rec centre looks interesting.
22 Glissando Remmy // Feb 23, 2011 at 7:20 pm
The Thought of The Day
“Buyers at the Olympic Village come in all shapes, sizes and denomination$.”
Buyer One scenario… The International
Location, location, location: Bob Rennie’s presentation office for Da Village… Man and woman wearing Prada. The woman is holding a very expensive decorative Shih Tzu. The man is playing with his toupee. Behind them, one muscular gorilla is checking the perimeter; the third is keeping the Beemer idling next to a fire hydrant. Bob Rennie approaches. He’s all smiles. ‘Me want by sex condoms to die, kesh!’ says the man. Rennie checks with his assistant. ‘Could you translate that for me, Shoo-Shoo? I know you are good with dialects!’ ‘The gentleman comes from far, far away and he wants to buy six condos, in cash. Today!’
Buyer Two scenario…The Hopeful Gambler
Location, location, location: Bob Rennie’s presentation office for Da Village… A man, visibly shaking, 6/49 Lottery in his left hand, sweating profusely, and short of breath, enters in a hurry. ‘Are they all Sold?’ ‘No.’ answers a terrified young woman. ‘Yes!’ shouts the man, jumping up and down. ‘Are you interested in buying?’ asks the woman. ‘Oh, not yet, I’ll have to check this one first!’ says the man, pointing to the ticket in his hand.’
Buyer Three scenario…The Local Pillar of Society
Location, location, location: Bob Rennie’s presentation office for Da Village… ‘Hi, I’m the legendary Senator Larry Campbell!’’
We live in Vancouver and this keeps us busy.
JUST IN:
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/video/canews-22424922/condo-buyers-beware-24279135.html#crsl=%252Fvideo%252Fcanews-22424922%252Fcondo-buyers-beware-24279135.html
23 The Fourth Horseman // Feb 23, 2011 at 11:27 pm
I know others who have been living there since it opened, now quietly readying to list— and get out.
Not happy campers. Too many building deficiencies.
24 Tea Shirt Party // Feb 23, 2011 at 11:27 pm
GR you have forgotten about lucky buyer #4.
Easy comes multi-millionaire. He made his money selling political charged tea-shirts. If his next shirt is a hit he will upgrade to a unit with a functioning closet.
The next shirt is a Vancouver Special, it simply states I went to a Council Meeting and all I got was a headache.
Rumour has it that each Vision coucillor is very interested in getting one, as are the Cope councillors but they need to ensure they were made by a union shop first. Susan Anton doesn’t want one because it wouldn’t match her shoes, but Bill Mc will be sporting one from the front row of the chamber.
25 Roger Kemble // Feb 24, 2011 at 7:37 am
“Apartments that until a few years ago sold for $205,000 in the Celtic Tiger economy are now on the market at discounts as low as $34,167 during Ireland’s first ever mass auction of repossessed homes.” WRH today.
Now that’s the kind of discounts I like!
And don’t be surprised to see them here some where down the line . . .
26 Max // Feb 24, 2011 at 9:10 am
@ TheFourth Horseman #23
Interesting.
The mail piece I received pushes the fact that is is Leeds Platinum everything.
The city should have left it is as Leed Gold rather than incurring the extra tens of millions pushing it to Leeds Platinum and having the workers rush the job.
But some egos are never satisfied.
27 Morry // Feb 24, 2011 at 10:22 am
@Max
Even before the contract for the OV was announced there was plenty of talk amoung Architects and others in the know (Michael Geller??) that given the date and the lack of a contract awarded that the CityofVan had _PASSED_ the date for building a quality project. A few months later ( 8 or so) when the announcement came out, again a big buzz about the fact that ONE INEXPERIENCED developer had been chosen. Many thought it should have been 2-3 developers and of course at a much earlier date.
From then on it went from bad to worse… the building quality, design, and everything about that project is sub-standard.
There is no getting around that fact no matter how much sugar-coating that Rennie and his Marketing Systems put on it.
ps. is that not one odious branding term: marketing systems.
28 Max // Feb 24, 2011 at 10:38 am
In case anyone is interested, here are some examples of unit sizes and their price tags as per the mailer (before and now)
Building: The Bridge
Unit 210, Studio, 526 s/f, before = $480,900 now = $374,900
Unit 302, 1 BR, 506 s/f, before = $475,900
now = $350,900
Unit 188, 2BR+Flex, 1505 s/f,
before = $1,750,900 now = $999,900
Unit 1005, 3 BR +Fam+Flex, 2623 s/f
before = $3,999,900 now = $2,999,900
29 The Fourth Horseman // Feb 24, 2011 at 10:40 am
@ Max #25
Apparently, LEEDS leak. 😉
Lots of probs with humidity, and other.
The additional costs to buyers, as well as the obvious quality and design problems after the change in enviro designation, is unfortunate.
30 More Be Us // Feb 24, 2011 at 12:10 pm
@ The Fourth Horseman #28
Are the problems due to LEED design or from shoddy workmanship?
I’ve heard plenty of new Concord buildings built before any sort of environmental performance requirements that have had serious leaking problems shortly after people move in too.
I’ll admit that inexperience with building to LEED standards may be a contributing factor, especially given the well documented time and financial missteps, but that ultimately speaks more about the quality and management of the workmanship than to the design.
There are now a number of LEED Platinum buildings in the Pacific Northwest region – it would be worth looking at whether projects in similar climates have reports of similar problems.
31 Frances Bula // Feb 24, 2011 at 10:15 pm
@ Derek. Hey, I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with Main. It’s my ‘hood and Cafeteria is practically my cafeteria. But the juxtaposition of the Fairmont Waterfront and the grungiest of the grunge bars on Main was boggling.
32 Michael Geller // Feb 25, 2011 at 2:11 pm
Here’s another New York Times story on the Olympic Village, which is a bit more up to date. Although I sure hope the writer is wrong about the number of city owned social housing/rental housing units occupied.
If she’s right, I hope someone investigates what is going on. These units should be full by now.
http://tinyurl.com/48g5apx
33 The Fourth Horseman // Feb 25, 2011 at 5:12 pm
No problem with LEEDS—as long as the workmanship and skill sets are up to it.
Yes, one may be using the best and most advanced enviro sytems and materials in a building.
Which will all be for naught if the basics of correctly installing plumbing and heat/cooling exchange are not in place.
34 Max // Feb 25, 2011 at 9:21 pm
@ Frances #31
Agreed – 100%
Some of the best eateries are outside of the downtown core, Main, Commercial and West 4th.
35 Max // Feb 25, 2011 at 9:35 pm
@ Michael Geller # 32
I am also curious as to how many social housing units have been filled as there has been zero up-dates to the public.
Now considering that Vision pushed the social housing portion through prior to Christmas and in Louie’s words ‘people are dying in the streets’ you would think that the good news, the news that they units were filled with the people that so desperately needed them would have hit the news wires by now – or before now. (not to overlook the obvious photo-op)
I am also curious to know how many persons are living at the Bosman Hotel on Howe St. It has the capacity to house 100 persons. After the intial opening, there has been nothing said.
36 Bill McCreery // Feb 26, 2011 at 5:22 pm
I’d be curious how and whoever came up with the unit mixes, sizes and plans for the OV. We just received a OV flyer in the mail today. It lists typical units available for sale.
Examples at the Bridge include:
• 526 sf Bachelor / Studio — you can do a very nice, functional studio at 460 sf.
• 506 sf 1 bedroom — 20 sf smaller than above, go figure, and in my 40 years of designing more than 4,000 units of housing, you cannot do a 506 sf unit that will be liveable.
• 1153 – 1505 sf 2 bed + flex — a palatial waste of space. A very good, liveable 2 bedroom plan can be achieved at 800 to 950 sf.
The Kayak is a bit closer to reality and more affordable, at the lower end anyway. But, the question remains, who set the design programme here? It looks like it was done by rank amateurs who know nothing about the real estate market. This market in my experience is a very sophisticated, price sensitive mechanism. You ignore it at your peril.
37 Michael Geller // Feb 27, 2011 at 5:30 am
Bill, I agree that many of the suite sizes and layouts are questionable. But I would be cautious about criticizing the sizes of the market units. They were determined by the developer, with close collaboration from his project marketing system.
You are entitled to question, however, the choices made on the non-market units owned by the city. There you will find one bedrooms that are much too large in relation to BC Housing standards, and other important variations from accepted standards.
While I understand why there might not have been W/D’s in the social housing, the fact that someone would leave out W/D’s in the rental housing units is odd. It is very difficult to get $1600 for a one bedroom without in-suite W/D’s.
By the way, I want everyone to know that the city staff was told this at a private briefing session attended by a number of housing experts. The experts clearly pointed out that the units were too large to be successful rental units, and did not have the right features. However, the city staff and Council completely ignored this advice. I know, I was one of the invitees at this session.
At the same session, it was pointed out that if a small amount of money was spent on adding W/D’s and other suite upgrades, for which staff budgeted a 10% cost, the units could be sold at prices that would more than cover their cost. But again, this advice was completely ignored by staff and council.
Now we have only 30 or 40 of the 212 suites leased. The coop is reportedly struggling to get an acceptable income mix…already $64 million has been allocated for subsidies, and more may be required.
Meanwhile, Geoff Meggs, who I truly believe to be a very smart guy continues to tell people the city’s rental units are not being subsidized. For the life of me Geoff, I don’t understand why you say this. They are being subsidized to the tune of thousands of dollars per month…just calculate the mortgage cost at 3% on a $350,000 670 sq.ft. one bedroom. Add in operating costs at around 25 to 30% of rent (a bit lower than normal given the energy saving features) ….and then compare that figure with the $1600 rent you are trying to get. The shortfall is significant. The only way to reduce the shortfall is to decrease the mortgage amount by adding city equity. As you do this, you are beginning to subsidize the units…yes, some one bedroom market rental units at $1600 are being subsidized by over a $1,000 a month when you look at it this way.
The sad irony is that the city is thinking of renting out more units if Rennie can’t sell them. However, what the experience of the past few months has shown is that it is as difficult to rent units at the wrong price, as it is to sell units at the wrong price!
While I am pleased that the sales program is now getting underway, I think it is time to figure out what is going wrong with the lease-up of the City owned social and rental housing units..these units are costing taxpayers in the order of a quarter of a million dollars per month, yes per month, in lost revenues
Bill, you might want to further investigate what’s happening here. They are tired of having to listen to me on this particular subject!
ps…if you check the New York Times story on my blog, you’ll note that Linda Baker, the journalist was told the city played a part in determining the unit sizes. I know this is not true…other than to note that the city did determine a mid-rise, rather than high rise form. But that in itself did not result in the chosen unit sizes…Millennium and its marketing advisor wanted this to be a premier development, and they decided on the unit sizes and layouts, along with the architectural team. You can’t blame Peter Ladner or Kim Capri for this!
38 Everyman // Feb 27, 2011 at 10:59 am
Why is it that Vision Vancouver sets up a great wailing and gnashing of teethe about affordable rentals in this City, yet utters not a peep when speculators swarm in and drive up the cost of actually buying anything here?
Are renters somehow more virtuous in Vision’s books than those saving to buy a condo or a house here? Given Tim Stevenson’s venomous tone when he mentioned “owners” in the infamous “#$%^ NPA hacks” meeting, I guess they are.
39 Bill McCreery // Feb 27, 2011 at 12:31 pm
Thank you for your background information and informed assessment Michael.
One aspect of this which was entirely predictable is that if the suite sizes are too large on a competitive industry basis, they will generate a lower selling price per square foot. IMO that is one of the reasons the units were ‘over priced’ and stalled at the beginning. It is, however, encouraging with this new price correction that the sales are improving.
It will be instructive to watch how this plays out.
40 Gentle Bossa Nova // Feb 28, 2011 at 1:00 am
“• 506 sf 1 bedroom — 20 sf smaller than above [studio], go figure, and in my 40 years of designing more than 4,000 units of housing, you cannot do a 506 sf unit that will be liveable.”
Bill 36
I believe you can. The address would be on Robson Street west of Denman, just on the right side of the street. But, in this case, it is a slim tower building. With a double loaded corridor, or a “fat” floor plate, units increase in depth and the arithmetic changes.
” It is very difficult to get $1600 for a one bedroom without in-suite W/D’s.”
Michael 37
Agreed—the address in this case would be 6th Avenue on the doorstep to Granville Island. Washer/Drier in suite; skylight; deck access front door; wood burning fire place; rents in the $1100 range for a one bedroom.
In my opinion you will have to go to the urban design to find the facts that are not working for most of the OV buildings.
I’d take an overly large suite anytime and do an interior remodel. What the project marketing system doles out, and what a creative hand can do with space can occupy entirely different worlds.
41 Ron // Feb 28, 2011 at 1:19 pm
You’d have to examine each unit on a case by case basis. Sometimes you’ll have a suite will a long long hallway eating up 150 sq ft because the unit is on the corner of the building. Also, some of the buildings in OV look like they have breezeways, meaning that the units are deeper than if they had central hallways for access (could be a function of forming the quadrangle on each block).
42 Bill McCreery // Feb 28, 2011 at 5:12 pm
It would be interesting to do an architectural design and development assessment of the OV at some point in the future. Perhaps there are ‘to do’ and ‘not to do’ lessons.
43 John So // Feb 28, 2011 at 9:40 pm
Anyone know how many sold after the 7 day recissions? 128 conditional offers but I heard there were MANY recissions.
44 Gentle Bossa Nova // Mar 1, 2011 at 10:02 pm
I think the ‘not to do’ will be quickly established. It is the separation distance between units. In the interior of some blocks it is down right too tight.
However, this is only compounded by the narrow street outside. So that the units, if they are dual aspect, face onto neighbours on both sides at distances less than 70-feet.
That’s unacceptable. And, that’s also the lesson that the so-called Lane-way Housing did not get right.
Vancouver… We have a problem.
45 Gentle Bossa Nova // Mar 1, 2011 at 10:16 pm
” Sometimes you’ll have a suite will a long long hallway eating up 150 sq ft because the unit is on the corner of the building.”
Ron 41
Left this comment out. If the interior design uses the NYC Loft concept… there are no corridors. That 150 s.f. becomes sumptuous living space with well designed wall hugging storage and hip art lit by recessed pin-point lights.
Oh… and be weary of the Platinum LEED if it means the toilets are ‘funky’.
It Rains In Vancouver… and THAT keeps us busy.
46 Bill McCreery // Mar 1, 2011 at 11:25 pm
@ GBN 43.
You’re absolutely right. The rush to supposedly densify has lead to a blind assumption that density will be good for us and we can forget about the other guides, such as distance between buildings, etc.
It is helpful if you are a planner / urban designer if you have architectural design training. If you do and have knowledge of research such as Pattern Language and other good design guides, hopefully you will be able to anticipate problems and understand their consequences so such unfortunate mistakes are not made. This seems to have been lost in recent years.
We are seeing right across the City proposed spot rezoning after proposed spot rezoning, that the same to high density is happening. Examples:
•• Marine Gateway (bottleneck) — proposed 6.05, should be 3.0 fsr.
•• Granville Gateway (bottleneck) — proposed 2.85, should be 2.5 fsr.
•• Burrard Gateway (bottleneck) — proposed +/-9.5 or 10, should be 5.5 fsr.
•• Arbutus Village — proposed 2.85, should be 2.5 fsr.
•• Norquay Village — proposed 3.5+, should be 2.75 fsr.
•• Shannon Mews (bottleneck) — proposed 2.5+, should be 0.85 fsr (existing).
47 Lewis N. Villegas // Mar 2, 2011 at 8:42 am
Interesting list. In the U.S. urban design is often taught in Landscape Architecture programs. However, most of the new urbanism crew are architects, starting with Duany. Architects staff their charrettes in all the design roles.
The ability to think about buildings as a designer may be an indispensable first step to design at the scale of the neighbourhood.
A good friend, discussing a charrette recently, disqualified himself from participating by saying, “I can’t draw”. He’s a good enough planner that what he meant was that he couldn’t use drawing as a tool for problem solving.
You’re right on the mark with the list. With one exception (Burrard Gateway) all your recommendations are in the 3.0 to 2.5 FSR range.
If we lower that to 2.33 FSR and follow good design principles, then we can get to human scale intensification. What the list really exposes is the need to rebalance our urbanism.
If we are not going to do neighbourhood intensification one City proposed spot rezoning after proposed spot rezoning at a time, then what we are left with is engaging all the neighbourhoods all at one time.
That will require working at the level of the historical platting, urbanism’s DNA.
Every cottage lot in the city is really a “Vancouver Special”. The styles may have changed over the years, yet the 4000 sf lots are the essence of the neighbourhood character, not the stucco shell and low-slope roof.
Notes for the interested by-stander: at 2.33 FSR a 4000 square foot lot would hold a building with a floor area equal to 2.33 x 4000 = 9320 square feet. If the average unit size is 800 feet that’s 11.5 units per lot; at 1000 s.f. per unit it’s 9.5 units. Say, 10.5 units per lot on average. An acre of land yields six Vancouver Special Lots, so the gross density is 10.5 x 6 = 63 units per acre or 10x the density of 6 Vancouver Special Lots per acre. At 2.2 people per unit that’s 16,500 people per quartier or pedestrian shed.
Note to the interested social housing by-stander: SRO replacement unit sizes can be 425 s.f. yielding 22 units per lot.
The problem is not dissimilar to what faced the Renaissance explorers: go west to go east. At 2.33 FSR we can subdivide 4000 s.f. lots to achieve density with human scale, rather than assemble lots to achieve higher FSR and a poor neighbourhood fit.
Harking back to a comment by Geller, the city is going to have to accept a new number for parking.
However, if we built Pat Condon’s vision of LRT on every arterial, then the need for parking would be greatly diminished.